Questions - Answers
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What is the average time to sell a property?
What general trends show for 2025:
The average time to sell a property is a figure that varies greatly depending on the type of property, its precise location, condition, land, view, history, and the listed price. For very high-end or exceptional properties (prestige, heritage, traditional farmhouses, charming properties), the average time ranges from 9 months (with a realistic price) to 18 months (overpriced, or "in need of renovation"). If the property is particularly remarkable or very well located, it can be between 6 to 9 months.
The main mandatory diagnostic reports to be provided when selling a property:
The mandatory diagnostic reports to be provided when selling a property in France are grouped into a single document called the Technical Diagnostic File (DDT). This file must be attached to the promise to sell. All reports must be carried out by certified diagnosticians (except for the ERP).
These reports aim to inform the buyer about the general condition of the property and any associated risks. The main diagnostic reports are:
1. Energy Performance Certificate (EPC):
○ Mandatory when putting the property up for sale.
○ Assesses energy consumption and greenhouse gas emission impact ("energy" and "climate" labels).
○ Validity: 10 years.
2. Lead Exposure Risk Assessment (CREP):
○ Mandatory for dwellings built before January 1, 1949.
○ Aims to detect the presence of lead in coatings (paints, etc.).
Validity: 1 year if lead is present, unlimited otherwise.
3. Asbestos Report:
○ Mandatory for buildings for which the building permit was issued before July 1, 1997.
○ Aims to identify the presence or absence of asbestos-containing materials and products.
○ Validity: Unlimited if asbestos is absent, otherwise 3 years.
4. Internal Gas Installation Report:
○ Mandatory if the gas installation is more than 15 years old.
○ Assesses risks that could compromise personal safety.
○ Validity: 3 years.
5. Internal Electrical Installation Report:
○ Mandatory if the electrical installation is more than 15 years old.
○ Verifies the safety of the electrical installation.
○ Validity: 3 years.
6. Termite Presence Report:
○ Mandatory if the property is located in an area designated by prefectural decree as infested or likely to be.
○ Validity: 6 months.
7. Statement of Risks and Pollution (ERP):
○ Mandatory if the property is located in a risk zone (natural, mining, technological risks, seismicity, radon potential, polluted soils...).
○ Validity: 6 months.
8. Individual Wastewater Treatment System Report:
○ Mandatory for homes not connected to the public wastewater collection network (e.g., with a septic tank).
○ Must be established after an inspection carried out by the public non-collective sanitation service (SPANC).
○ Validity: 3 years.
9. Carrez Law Measurement:
○ Mandatory for the sale of a co-owned property unit (apartment, horizontal co-owned house, commercial or professional premises).
○ Certifies the private living area of the unit.
○ Validity: Unlimited if no modifications are made to the property.
10. Swimming Pool Safety Report: required when the pool is in-ground, it assesses the compliance of safety devices.
11. Energy Audit:
○ Mandatory for the sale of individual houses and single-owner collective buildings classified E (from January 1, 2025), F, or G (and D from January 1, 2034).
What are the steps for selling a property?
Selling a property generally involves several key stages, from the purchase offer to the signing of the final deed. This process typically takes 3 to 4 months, allowing time for all formalities to be completed. Here are the steps:
1. Receipt and review of the potential buyer's purchase offer.
2. Offer acceptance:
Once the price and conditions are agreed upon, the seller commits to selling the property to the buyer.
3. Signing of the preliminary contract:
This is the preliminary sales agreement (or promise to sell), signed before a notary. The buyer typically pays a deposit (earnest money) of approximately 5 to 10% of the sale price.
4. Cooling-off period: Non-professional buyers have a legal cooling-off period of 10 days starting from the day after notification of the preliminary sales agreement. (SRU Law)
5. Fulfillment of contingencies:
The preliminary agreement contains contingencies, the most common being the buyer's obtaining of a mortgage. This stage generally takes 45 to 60 days. Other checks are carried out by the notary (right of pre-emption, mortgage status, urban planning, etc.).
6. Preparation of the final deed:
The notary gathers all necessary documents, verifies compliance, and prepares the final deed of sale.
7. Signing of the final deed of sale:
This takes place at the notary's office, in the presence of the seller and the buyer (or their representatives). At this point, the buyer pays the remaining balance of the sale price (via the notary) to the seller. The transfer of ownership becomes official, and the seller hands over the keys to the buyer (unless otherwise agreed for deferred possession).
